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Published on: May 28, 2007
Parasitism: A cryptic determinant of animal community structure
1Dept of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Abstract:
Traditionally, the major biotic determinants of animal community structure were assumed to be competition and predation. Recent theoretical, experimental and field studies indicate that parasitism is also important. The spectrum of effects that parasites have on host individuals is as broad as the range of parasite-host interactions. This review considers evidence for direct effects of parasites on fecundity and survival that influence host demography, and for indirect effects on host physiology and behavior that interface with competition and predation.
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